It looks as though London itself might be getting a new cruise terminal, after the chair of Cruise Britain was appointed to deliver one by 2016.
Katie O’Hara has been tasked with overseeing the development of the London Cruise Port which will be located at Enderby Wharf in Royal Greenwich, giving passengers fantastic access as they step off right in the city centre, with major attractions all within easy reach.
It’s anticipated that the cruise terminal will be ready for the start of the 2016 season, and that it will be used by up to 100 ships every year, with a capacity for 3,000 passengers at any one time in the land part of the terminal.
It won’t be able to cater for the biggest ships in the world, due to the limitations of the Thames River, but the biggest ships that can sail through the Thames barrier, up to 240 metres long, will be able to dock.
It’s all very exciting, giving London a new major cruise terminal right in the centre, rather than the smaller terminal at Tilbury which is still outside the city. However questions will now no doubt be asked of Southampton and Dover, and whether this will have any impact on their industry. Of course Southampton can cater for the biggest ships, so they have that market secure, but as a draw for visitors outside the UK, something in the centre of London will be much more appealing.
Katie O’Hara spoke as part of the announcement of the new terminal, saying “I am hugely excited by the opportunity to become involved in such a prestigious and innovative project within the heart of London and Royal Greenwich. The views from the new terminal location are exceptional and I am sure cruise passengers will be thrilled at being able to sail into the heart of the capital.
Enderby Wharf is ideally located for passengers to embark and disembark as either transit or turnaround visitors given the design of the terminal and the vast array of attractions in such close proximity to the facility.”
By Ian Lewis
Google
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